Bradford Park Avenue 1, Whitby Town 0

Avenue snatched a dramatic injury-time winner tonight to pick up the three points that took them back up to second in the UniBond League Premier Division and still in the hunt for the title.

The final games of the regular season are this Saturday, and even if Guiseley take a maximum at Frickley Athletic tomorrow night it will be a three- way scrap for the crown and the one automatic promotion place.

The Bradford side struggled and were almost frustrated by Whitby Town at Horsfall Stadium.

Boss John Deacey had used all his substitutes as he tried to inject some urgency into proceedings, but it all turned out right at the death.

An effort from Rob O’Brien was blocked in the area and the loose ball spun to Lee Elam on the edge of the area.

His shot took a wicked deflection to leave the visitors’ keeper flat-footed as the home crowd went into raptures.

Avenue chairman John Dean said: "It was unbelievable drama at the end - it was deep into stoppage time when we got the vital goal.

"It had been a quiet game for long periods but the last 20 minutes or so it was all one-way traffic.

“The Whitby keeper made three brilliant saves and we had one chance cleared off the line late on.

"Just when it looked as though it wasn’t going to be our night, the goal went in. It was obvious that John’s (manager Deacey) substitutions made a big difference - it was a brave decision to make the changes he did.”

The victory leaves Avenue just one point behind leaders Boston United, who have to travel to Marine this Saturday.

Marine were the side that inflicted Guiseley’s third consecutive defeat last Saturday.

Tonight was Avenue’s last home game of the campaign - unless they end up in the play-offs and have home advantage. They journey to Hucknall Town on Saturday.